Mouse & Keyboarding Skills

Learning how to left click, right click, double click and drop and drag using both a mouse and a touchscreen is an important skill that Kindergartners must learn in order to be successful at the computer.

Keyboarding, even as young as Kindergarten, is not only a Common Core requirement, it is a gateway to learning the English language, phonics and the future development of proper skills and techniques to typing correctly. In Kindergarten we simply just become familiar with the keys on the keyboard and worry less on correct hand placement..

Below are some typing and mouse "exercises" that we complete in class.

Lesson 1.1

Drop and Drag: ABC-Ya Magnets

In this lesson students learn how to "Drop and Drag" the letters of the alphabet from the right hand of the screen onto the refrigerator to spell his or her name. Once they are complete, they will have one-on-one instruction on how to print their masterpiece.Vocabulary: Drop and Drag, left click, right click. print, navigate.

Lesson 1.2

Mouse Skills Tech Knowdledge

This is part two to the lesson on mouse development. Once they have successfully spelled their name and printed out their masterpiece, they will navigate to Tech Knowledge Lesson on Mouse Skills.

Assessment: Students will be assessed by observation and by their completed project. Key points:

Is their name spelled correctly?

How are their mouse skills- can they drop and drag? Right click? Left Click?

How often do they need assistance?

Lesson 2

Typing: ABC-Ya Keyboard Zoo

Students will be introduced to the Key Board. UnPlugged Activity: Large letters of the keyboard will be laid out on the floor in the classroom according to the QWERTY Keyboard. Students will be asked one-by-one to find the letters and remove them from the floor. Once all the letters have been collected, students will be introduced to Keyboard Zoo.

Activity: Students will then navigate to Mrs. Bloom's Website and open Keyboard Zoo and practice finding the letters on the keyboard.

Duration: 2 lessons, then as a 10 minute warm-up at the beginning of class.

Vocabulary: QWERTY, Keyboard, typingAssessment: Students will be assessed by the level of letters they can type within a time-limit during class.

ISTE Standards2. Communication and collaboration- Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others.5. Digital citizenship- Students understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to tech6. Technology operations and concepts- Students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems, and operations.